New Mooring Container Terminal lease process explained
Under the watch of the interim government, the Chittagong Port Authority is fast-tracking a 15-year concession for the New Mooring Container Terminal to the UAE-based DP World.
A high-stakes race to hand over Bangladesh's most profitable maritime asset to a foreign operator has ignited a firestorm of legal challenges, labour strikes, and allegations of massive financial undervaluation.
Under the watch of the interim government, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is fast-tracking a 15-year concession for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the UAE-based DP World.
Lease process
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Operational since 2007, NCT is one of the most critical facilities at Chattogram Port, Bangladesh's principal maritime gateway.
The brownfield riverine terminal has an 820-metre quay wall, four container berths and extensive back-up facilities. The adjacent overflow container yard, developed in 2015, provides additional container storage.
According to the CPA's RFP, the government aims to expand port capacity and improve efficiency to support growing manufacturing and export sectors.
DP World was selected as the potential partner, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) acting as transaction adviser.
The concession includes a transition period of up to six months, followed by a 15-year operation and maintenance phase.
At the end of the term, the facilities will revert to the CPA at no cost, except for any additional equipment installed by the operator.
A feasibility study estimates the project cost at $205 million.
The RFP restricts bidding to DP World or a consortium led by it, with the lead member holding at least 51% equity. Bidders must submit legal, technical and financial proposals in English, along with a $1.5 million bid security valid for 180 days.
Technical bids will be evaluated first, followed by financial bids.
The successful bidder will have to pay a $2 million project development fee to the IFC and a $4,00,000 success fee to the PPP Authority. A Bangladeshi special-purpose vehicle must be formed, with shareholding locked in for 10 years.
To qualify, bidders must show experience in managing at least one container terminal handling a minimum of 7,50,000 TEUs annually in each of the last three financial years and a net worth of at least $100 million per year over the same period.
The process received in-principle approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in March 2023.
A writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Young Economists Forum later challenged the lack of open competition and transparency.
After a split High Court verdict in late 2025, the Supreme Court's 29 January ruling removed the final legal hurdle.
However, an application seeking a status quo on the verdict was subsequently filed.
